This is part of my stress-release plan. A mind-numbing solution from the corporate-speak world. A world of PowerPoints and acronyms. Is it jaded? Of course it is. Is it politically correct? What would be the point of that. Is it making me rich? If only. I do however, feel better with each blog I write. How about you? Gotta keep laughing . . . Work Redefined - someone had to redefine this thing called work.

Welcome to my jaded world of work, office and the corporate world. Having spent the past 16 years working in manufacturing for a large company, I worked my way up through the ranks to the "semi-executive" plateau where the grass is not really greener (okay, the money is), but just has a whole bunch of weird shades. Everyone talks differently and eventually you get sucked into the world of Corporate-speak and think. Well, "Work Redefined" is my outlet.I find myself sitting on conference calls or in meetings and can't help but turn terms and phrases into something much more entertaining; entertaining for myself and hopefully for others who have the same reservations and/or disgust for what they hear on a daily basis. It kind of resembles thoughts from Dilbert and The Office, but my own personal twist.Yes, I'm part of the evil, but I keep pushing against it in an effort to not become fully absorbed in it all. I've put some of my thoughts on shirts, hats and things that you can see on Cafe Press under Work Redefined. I'll post some of the tantalizing tidbits on my blog for your pleasure, pain or entertainment.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Corporate Help

My thoughts around corporate phrases and how this relates and doesn't relate to the real world is really driven by those little things you hear when meeting with a group "of your own kind." When the managers or executives gather, you understand that most of them really are aware of how they come off around people that report to them - yes, those little people. But in the same breath, they just can't stop. I would never tire of hearing people say how they were just here to help. But it was like, help in one hand and an extremely large hammer in the other. It sure always felt like help or die to me. So the phrase was born, "I'm from Corporate and I'm here to help."

So, say it with subtlety or scream it from the mountain tops. Make an event out of it. I've got the "Corporate Help - Event Staff" shirts, hats and buttons or the "I'm from Corporate and I'm here to help - Event Staff", a lot of variations on the theme. Personally, I kind of like it understated. Some people get it and others don't see it at all. It's fun to watch the reactions. As always, find these and other options here - http://www.cafepress.com/workredefined.

2 comments:

I laughed out loud when I first saw the "I'm from Corporate and I'm Here to Help" slogan. But not having spent much time in big organizations, I just thought it meant that the guys from Corporate didn't have a clue about the issues they came to help with, so they would actually be more of a hinderance. Sue (who works for me now but has worked in big companies in the past) on the other hand, immediately said one word: "Downsizing."

Here's some of my tunes while you read

Fun Product Links

Some of my Favorite Blogs / Sites (other than mine of course)

BYOB - Bring Your Own Bags is my wife's blog. And BzzBags.com is her website. Beth ("B") is working to save the planet one bag at a time with 100% cotton bags for produce and bulk goods (every time you go to the store). She's still getting it started, but watch out! New in her arsonal are Organic Cotton Bags too.

Here, these folks are attempting to change the world and I'm just making fun of it. Then this . . . Gary's music blog - tracking personal history. Exciting to all I'm sure.